What are your memories of the Masters at Augusta? Who will win the item money can't buy, the green jacket, on April 13th?
Adam Scott will bid to become the first back to back winner of golf's first major of the year since Tiger Woods in 2002. Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013, using his broom handle putter to generate 'Wizard of Oz' headlines. And he'll now be serving Aussie cuisine at the Champions Dinner.
One man who should have had that honour was Greg Norman. He famously choked it away against Nick Faldo in 1996, and adrenaline got the better of him in 1986, as Jack Nicklaus wrote his own script and starred in his own movie at the age of 46.
However, Norman was genuinely unlucky in 1987, in what was my first Masters memory as an 8 year old. Local favourite Larry Mize (Larry Who?) incredibly chipped in on the second extra play off hole to win, when Norman was on the green in two and in a much better position.
The chip is 5 minutes in on the highlight reel below, which begins with a putt for Norman to win it in regulation. When you see how close it was, you realise that Norman was destined never to win in Georgia.
Larry Mize v Greg Norman - 1987
"Is it his time?" - Phil Mickelson 2004
If Sergio Garcia carries the unwanted tag of 'Best Player to Never Win a Major' - Phil Mickelson had endured enough pain to own that label 10 years ago. The popular American had gone 0 for 46 in majors, finishing second at the 1999 US Open and the 2001 US PGA. In 2004, he brought a stellar Masters record to the table, with a magician's short game suited to the demands of the course. Birdies on 12, 13, 14 and 16 on the final day brought him level on 8 under par with Ernie Els. A precise approach on 18 left Mickelson with a putt to win the Masters. And the rest is history....
"This is the ball of Tiger Woods" - Tiger Woods 2005
It is quite hard to believe that the last of Tiger's 4 Masters wins was 9 years ago. If he can overcome a bad back to line up this year, Woods will look for inspiration in the attempt to win a 15th major title and a first in 6 years. Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors is not insurmountable, but the longer Woods goes without winning one of the big four again, the harder it will be. In 2005, he edged Chris DiMarco in a play off. On the par 3 16th hole on the final day, Woods produced a shot for the ages. It's a breathtaking sporting moment, with the commentary by Verne Lundquist embellishing the experience. Enjoy.
